Hey, Mr. Dog. Welcome to my blog. Please introduce you and your author to my readers.
I’m Benji, a handsome tan rescue dog. I’m about four, although I can’t remember my birthday. My author is called Kitty Kildare.
Tail wags to you both.
What book(s) have you appeared in? Please list them and their genre.
Death at the Swan Tavern
Death at the Fireside Inn
Death at the Drunken Duck (the duck wasn’t drunk and he doesn’t die, so I’m confused by this title!)
These books are 1920s British historical mysteries.
They sound interesting.
Are you in a series? If so, please give information about it.
I’m proud to be in a series and I even feature on the front cover with my wonderful sleuth, Veronica!
The series is called Veronica Vale Investigates (she’s my much-loved owner – I’d never leave her side if I didn’t have to, but not all restaurants let dogs inside.)
Lucky you being on the cover with your main lady. I’ve only been on one of the covers of my Cobble Co9ve series and never with Alicia. I think she’s camera shy.
Are you based on a real dog such as your author’s? If so, please give further details.
I’m based on a mix of many dogs my creator (Kitty Kildare) has looked after over the years. Kitty enjoys travelling the United Kingdom looking after other people’s animals while they go on holiday. She’s spent time with a feisty Chihuahua, an aloof lurcher, a stubborn pug, and a friendly terrier. We’re all known for our love of belly rubs, walks, and treats.
Sounds like fun. There’s a dog in my book, too, although my author has had mostly cats. I’m based on her Siamese who has since gone to Rainbow Bridge.
Can you share an excerpt from one of your books that features you in an important scene? If so, please include it.
This is from an exciting chase scene, where I almost capture a murder suspect!
“Benji, fetch!” I unleashed Benji and watched him fly. My brilliant dog could do anything—hunt a lost piece of sausage, sniff for clues, and bring down fleeing suspects in a murder investigation.
We slowed to a more respectable speed-walk as Benji went to work. He artfully dodged around people, gaining on Charles with every paw step. Charles looked over his shoulder and yelped when he realised Benji was in pursuit. But he was going as fast as he could, and would never outrun my marvellous dog.
Ruby hurried along beside me, one hand pressed against her side. “We should never eat and run. I have a dreadful stitch.”
“You’ll recover. And lunch was useful. Look! Benji almost has him.”
Benji lunged and grabbed the oversized bag Charles had strapped across his body. Charles lost his balance and almost hit the ground. At the last second, he recovered, slipped the bag over his arms, and dodged across the busy street, almost getting hit by an open-topped bus.
“Benji, stop!” I wouldn’t risk my precious dog on the roads. The way some people drove was entirely irresponsible.
Benji froze, remaining in flight mode, the bag held between his teeth and his nose pointed in the direction Charles had fled.
We swiftly reached him. I gave him a thorough petting and told him what an excellent boy he was several times before digging out a treat from my pocket and feeding it to him.
“I can’t see Charles.” Ruby peered across the road as traffic zoomed past. “He must have gone into the park. We’ll never find him in there.”
“He only ran because of Dirk’s idiocy,” I said. “Charles is a valuable connection to Florence. If he was such a devoted fan, he could have seen everything she did. He could even have been at the Winter Garden Theatre for her last performance.”
Ruby massaged her side. “I need a sit down and a strong cup of tea after that. I was not made for running. My talents lie in lounging and having expensive jewels purchased for me.”
I gently extracted the bag from Benji’s mouth, and we turned back towards the café. “Let’s rejoin Eleanor and Dirk. They may have more information about Charles.”
Wasn’t I clever? I found a clue!
Pawsome! Love it, benj 🙂
What do you like most about your role in your authors’ books?
Helping! I love to help. And chase. I adore Veronica, but she’s not as fast as me. I have more paws, you see. And I really like Ruby, but she always wears heels and is not good at chasing bad guys.
I’m happiest when I’m helping or clue-hunting. And sleeping. I love to sleep on the end of Edith’s bed. Although she complains my fur troubles her allergies.
I can understand that. I love being in a library and also solving murders along with Alicia, the librarian. I’ve spent time at her house and the town inn, also.
Are you a talking dog in your books or just a silent pet like I am who just meows occasionally?
I bark-talk, but I don’t talk-talk like humans. I also whine, lift my paw, and wag my tail to signal something untoward is afoot!
Great non-verbal actions on your part. I used to limit myself to hissing, purring, meowing, etc., but now I allow the other pets in my series as well as my readers “see” my thoughts.
What advice would you give other dog characters?
Be brave. Always say yes to a sausage treat. Defend your sleuth. And if there’s a belly rub on offer, enjoy it.
Doggone good advice. I’d give the same to character cats but, instead of sausage, it would be kibble and catnip.
Do you have any new books coming out? Please give dates and details.
Death at the Fireside Inn released on January 16 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL2HDFSM
Death at the Drunken Duck is scheduled for release on March 12 – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CPM7GSLN
There will be at least four more books in this series releasing in 2024, so readers won’t have to wait long to see me in action with my favorite person.
Your author must be lightning fast. Debbie has been somewhat slow lately with her upcoming move and other series, the Buttercup Bend Mysteries, that involve pets and animals, too, but I’m hoping she gets back to ours soon.
Are you and/or your author on social media? If so, please list your links.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kittykildare/
Website – www.kittykildare.com
Newsletter (and get free wartime case files on the characters, including me!) – https://BookHip.com/JJPKDLB
Thanks so much for the interview, Benji. You were a fine guest. I’m featuring the blog tour of your new release below. Best tail wags to you and your author.
Death at the Fireside Inn: 1920s Historical Mystery
(Veronica Vale Investigates)
by Kitty Kildare
About Death at the Fireside Inn
Death at the Fireside Inn: 1920s Historical Mystery (Veronica Vale Investigates)
Historical British Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – 1920s London, England
K.E. O’Connor Books (January 16, 2024)
Number of Pages: 225
Digital ASIN : B0CL2HDFSM
A fading star, a puzzling death, and a mystery that must be solved!
Veronica Vale spent a turbulent few years serving her country during the Great War – doing more than her role in the exchange network suggested! Now back on British soil and adjusting to life as an obituary writer for her uncle’s newspaper, while caring for her ailing mother, Veronica has gotten used to a slower (and safer) pace of life.
Excitement comes from fun parties, walks with Benji, her beloved rescue dog, and volunteering at the Dogs’ Home.
When an old family friend, and former superstar of the theatre, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London, Veronica is curious to discover what happened to the sweet, funny, ruthlessly ambitious beauty.
Much to the dismay of her sometimes nemesis Inspector Templeton, Veronica is tasked with writing Florence’s obituary. And what she learns will blow the roof off the theatre! That’s if she survives to tell the tale.
***
If you love witty dialogue, historical glamour, intrigue, and a fast-paced cozy mystery set in 1920s England, then you’ll adore Kitty Kildare’s unputdownable whodunits.
About Kitty Kildare
Immerse yourself into Kitty Kildare‘s cleverly woven historical British mysteries. Follow the mystery in the Veronica Vale Investigates series and enjoy the dazzle and delights of 1920s England. Kitty is a not-so-secret pen name of established cozy mystery author K.E. O’Connor, who decided she wanted to time travel rather than cast spells! Enjoy the twists and turns.
Author Links
Webpage: www.kittykildare.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kittykildare/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45353561.Kitty_Kildare
Purchase Links:
Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon CA Amazon AU
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
February 7 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
February 7 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 7 – Christa Reads and Writes – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 9 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 9 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
February 9 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
February 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 10 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
February 11 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
February 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 12 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 12 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 13 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
February 13 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
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